Just got back from voting (and a much-needed caffeine run). As I've said before, my first time voting was in the miserable Kerry/Bush election of 2004. Voting was pretty much a disaster. I had to send in an absentee ballot, and getting the damn thing was a nightmare. I was on the phone for days, screaming at whatever poor sap was unlucky enough to pick up and demanding my Constitutional right to vote. I was in college, living in New York City, and was registered in my home state of New Jersey. My roommates - those that voted at all - had similar problems. One of my friends doesn't think she even got her ballot in on time. I filled out the little paper, and sent it in without any sense of hope or pride. It was like filling out a college survey - impersonal, and vaguely depressing.
This time was different. I even brought a book, (Hunter S. Thompson, of course) prepared to wait for hours if need be to vote for my Candidate. It wasn't needed; the whole thing took about twenty minutes. I didn't even need to show ID. The line moved quickly, and everyone was super-friendly. Since you can't really discuss politics in the voting area - unless you want to risk being escorted out by angry, well-muscled security guards - everyone acts like it's a friendly gathering, and makes small talk about inane details. I chatted with the woman in front of me about her baby, who was indeed cute, when really I wanted to grab her and demand to know her affiliations. It's so charged right now. I come from a small town, but I have to say I've never seen that many people in one place at one time. They woman working there confirmed that voter attendance was the highest she's ever seen, and she's been doing this for decades. So I guess whoever wins this election really is the person we want. I hope we get the candidate we need, and not the one we deserve.
I am sick and tired of these talking heads who keep saying that history is being made because Obama is black. Ignoring the fact that Obama is half-white, it's the PRESIDENCY. History would be made if it was two fat old white dudes, or two hot women, or a black guy and a gay guy, or a conjoined twin. History will be made regardless of the candidate's race, sexual preference, economic background, or height. It's a stupid thing to say. But I guess right now everyone's stuck twiddling their thumbs until the polls start closing.
In Columbus, OH, the polling machines are breaking and people are leaving, according to MSNBC. At times like this, I really hate technology. Unacceptable. Write your choice on a piece of paper and hand in the damn thing. It worked for the boat people in The Dark Knight. Wait, it kind of didn't. Actually, that scene makes an upsetting allegory for the political process, so forget I mentioned it.
The Marist Poll says that Barack Obama will beat John McCain 52% to 43%. Obama has led since the poll began on September 25th.
David Sedaris has written a brilliantly funny piece for The New Yorker on undecided voters. This is my favorite part:
You can read the rest of the piece in the link.
I'm due to update again in two minutes, so I'll leave you all be and take a brief breather.
This time was different. I even brought a book, (Hunter S. Thompson, of course) prepared to wait for hours if need be to vote for my Candidate. It wasn't needed; the whole thing took about twenty minutes. I didn't even need to show ID. The line moved quickly, and everyone was super-friendly. Since you can't really discuss politics in the voting area - unless you want to risk being escorted out by angry, well-muscled security guards - everyone acts like it's a friendly gathering, and makes small talk about inane details. I chatted with the woman in front of me about her baby, who was indeed cute, when really I wanted to grab her and demand to know her affiliations. It's so charged right now. I come from a small town, but I have to say I've never seen that many people in one place at one time. They woman working there confirmed that voter attendance was the highest she's ever seen, and she's been doing this for decades. So I guess whoever wins this election really is the person we want. I hope we get the candidate we need, and not the one we deserve.
I am sick and tired of these talking heads who keep saying that history is being made because Obama is black. Ignoring the fact that Obama is half-white, it's the PRESIDENCY. History would be made if it was two fat old white dudes, or two hot women, or a black guy and a gay guy, or a conjoined twin. History will be made regardless of the candidate's race, sexual preference, economic background, or height. It's a stupid thing to say. But I guess right now everyone's stuck twiddling their thumbs until the polls start closing.
In Columbus, OH, the polling machines are breaking and people are leaving, according to MSNBC. At times like this, I really hate technology. Unacceptable. Write your choice on a piece of paper and hand in the damn thing. It worked for the boat people in The Dark Knight. Wait, it kind of didn't. Actually, that scene makes an upsetting allegory for the political process, so forget I mentioned it.
The Marist Poll says that Barack Obama will beat John McCain 52% to 43%. Obama has led since the poll began on September 25th.
David Sedaris has written a brilliantly funny piece for The New Yorker on undecided voters. This is my favorite part:
I look at these people and can’t quite believe that they exist. Are they professional actors? I wonder. Or are they simply laymen who want a lot of attention?
To put them in perspective, I think of being on an airplane. The flight attendant comes down the aisle with her food cart and, eventually, parks it beside my seat. “Can I interest you in the chicken?” she asks. “Or would you prefer the platter of shit with bits of broken glass in it?”
To be undecided in this election is to pause for a moment and then ask how the chicken is cooked.
I mean, really, what’s to be confused about?
You can read the rest of the piece in the link.
I'm due to update again in two minutes, so I'll leave you all be and take a brief breather.
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